How do you keep a winning streak going? By not tinkering with success. Jim Riggleman never intended to make his pitcher-hitting-eighth idea a permanent one. But the Nationals haven't lost since the manager used the unconventional lineup for the first time last weekend in San Diego.

So, no reason to start making tweaks now. Jayson Werth remains in the leadoff spot today against the Orioles, and Jordan Zimmermann will bat eighth. Only change from last night is a swap of catchers, with Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate.

Brian Matusz, who has struggled since returning from the DL, starts for Baltimore. He'll face a stiff challenge in baseball's hottest team. With a victory today, the Nats would match their second-longest winning streak since arriving in the District.

Just went to the Inside Pitch interview with Ian Desmond and got to say how much we appreciate his generosity with little kids. I know they are supposed to play ball, but few of these guys are as openly appreciative of the younger fans as he is. What a nice and unexpected early gift of being here!

haha love the smell of snarkiness in the mid to late morning. Hopefully with this win streak people in Greensboro NC will stop asking if I got my hat from Wallgreens… Even had one elderly Wallgreens employee offer to buy it from me to wear at work. This might be a flash in the pan, but the feel of this team has completely changed.

Had fun at the park yesterday. Love it when the crowd is into it. I was a little nervous that I'd mess up the streak since last year I went to over 15 games and only saw one win. But this seems like a new group of Nats……no attitude of defeat and going for the win.On the couch today but looking forward to watching JZimm get our 8th win!Yeah, Nats!

That K by Zim with one out and a man on third was a great example of Rizzo's philosophy.In the last two drafts he's put an emphasis on big guys who can bring it in the 90s.Guys like Strassy, Zimm, Cole and Meyer can turn up the gas to get themselves out of a jam.

I'm sick to death of listening to the AngelO's announcing crew."It's good to see Matusz doing so well."Not to me, pal. And I'm sure Flanny is a nice guy, but could his New Hampshire monotone be more cadaverous?Get the paddles. Clear!1. Kick their Baltimore butts.2. Take their lunch money.3. Send them home crying.

Is anyone covering what's happening with Zimmerman's arm? He's bounced a couple throws to first this week, lobbed a few, and just pulled Morse off the bag in the 9th. He looks bad. Fielding and hitting are spot on, but something is wrong with the throws. Is he fully recovered?

Hey guys, I just realized that the Nats won this game by only 2 runs. Yesterday, it was 4 runs. The day before it was 10 runs. Obviously, the team is heading downhill. Must be time to charge up the fire-Riggleman guys.

Really? Some fans thought the game was at 7? LOLAnyways, not the most convincing win, especially when JZ was on the mound, but a win nonetheless. Good to know that we have ran up the streak to 8. Let us sweep them tomorrow. Go Gorzo and Go Nats.

I was a little concerned about wearing the red jerseys and luckily no problema.Loved how the O's again tried to run on the Nats catchers!Jordan Z. didn't have his A+ game but got a Win and a Quality start and drove his ERA down to 3.08. With 2 more wins like this, he solidly puts his name in there for the All Star game.HenRod with a stressful but best outing of the season in Clippard's role and then Zim and Morse with the big bats!!!!Total Beast Mode!!!!!!!!

Outsider: Here's what I've got on the series. Note that it's a bit skewed by the multiple rainouts.1. Split with Braves.2. Lost to Marlins.3. Beat Mets.4. Lost to Phils.5. Beat Brewers.6. Lost (one game) to Cardinals.7. Lost to Pirates.8. Lost to Mets.9. Beat Giants.10. Lost to Phils.11. Beat Marlins.12. Beat Braves.13. Lost to Marlins.14. Beat Pirates (one game).15. Lost to Mets.16. Lost to Orioles. (Attila the Hons.)17. Lost to Brewers.18. Lost to Padres.19. Beat Phils.20. Lost to DBacks.21. Lost to Giants.22. Beat the Pads.23. Beat the Cards.24. Beat the Orioles.

It's a klaxon, not a foghorn (that's SF's thing), but it is starting to grow on me. And did anyone else catch last nite's postgame interview? Apparently, they call Ramos "the buffalo." That's a cool nickname…

I think you have couple of mistakes Drew8.1. Split with Braves. (Lost)2. Lost to Marlins.3. Beat Mets.4. Lost to Phils.5. Swept Brewers.6. Lost to Cardinals.7. Lost to Pirates.8. Lost to Mets.9. Beat Giants.10. Lost to Phils.11. Beat Marlins.12. Beat Braves.13. Lost to Marlins.14. Beat Pirates (one game).15. Swept by Mets (two games).16. Lost to Orioles. (Attila the Hons.)17. Swept by Brewers.18. Lost to Padres.19. Beat Phils.20. Lost to DBacks. (Tied)21. Lost to Giants.22. Beat the Pads.23. Beat the Cards.24. Beat the Orioles.Most interesting fact: Fifth concluding season series that we have not lost yet.

Sec 3, My Sofa said… And did anyone else catch last nite's postgame interview? Apparently, they call Ramos "the buffalo." That's a cool nickname… June 18, 2011 4:36 PM____________________________I suggested to Wilson Ramos that his nickname should be "big thunder" based on the sound he makes when he hits the ball. He seemed to like that although he did laugh at me.How many think his bat looks like a toothpick in his hands?

Must be time to charge up the fire-Riggleman guys.The fact that Riggleman has stuck with the Sabermetric lineup and not screwed around with it too much shows that he might be flexible enough. He still has his thing about Ankiel and playing that guy is a way to squelch the offense. And in fact initially, they weren't scoring a lot of runs but players in this lineup are slotted to have the greatest impact. And so they were able to succeed and win games.

Anon 4:49, why would you want to move Espi to SS tomorrow when he has played second base all season long? Cora is a good substitute at that position coming off the bench, plays solid defense and has contributed several times with his bat this season.BTW, anyone hear Bowden on one of the MLB radio shows yesterday discussing the Nats? If I remember correctly he was saying that it was inevitable that Rendon would be at second base next season and Espi moved to SS. Bowden also said if he was in charge he would have already moved Danny to SS and sent Desmond to Syracuse to learn how to play CF. Keep up that radio gig Jimbo!

BTW, anyone hear Bowden on one of the MLB radio shows yesterday discussing the Nats? If I remember correctly he was saying that it was inevitable that Rendon would be at second base next season and Espi moved to SS. Bowden also said if he was in charge he would have already moved Danny to SS and sent Desmond to Syracuse to learn how to play CF. Keep up that radio gig Jimbo! June 18, 2011 5:30 PM Why LeatherPants is on the radio and not in charge of anything any more.

Glad to see we won; for some reason, I had had a bad feeling about the game. Had to miss watching because of my daughter's track meet (what can I say, it's 'Track Town USA'?) — in the rain (it's Oregon). Rather than go directly to the scores, I opted to come here and read through Mark's updates. They gave a nice feel to the progression of the game, which added to the pleasure of seeing the final results. The read through the comments — ditto. Go Nats!

Lots of "new fans" at the ballpark. Been asked a lot about where certain things are, where the best food is, when to get autographs, etc. So, hey, what do you know? You win some games, more people come to the park. Someone alert the Lerners that winning makes them more money! (I kid, kinda). Ryan Zimmerman hasn't been the hottest hitter since coming back, batting .250 including today's 2 for 4 performance, but he's been effective. It seems like every time he gets a hit, it sparks the offense. He's got 4 runs to show for his 7 times on base. Nice.Also, what was the deal with the umpire today? I'll admit I don't have the best view depth-wise but some of those "balls" from Zimmerman looked like they were right down the middle. Me and another behind me kept throwing up our hands in disbelief at what he was calling.I showed up early today to try out Shake Shack, since I'm too selfish and pompous to take off early from work. Meh. Pretty underwhelming considering the hype. The meat was very greasy but decent. But the cheese on it was disgusting. The sauce was pretty good though, as was the bun and the lettuce and tomato tasted very fresh. It's like a pitcher with great peripherals who just can't get it done. It's the Matt Garza of burgers. I'll continue to buy a burger from Five Guys and bring it in when I'm really in the mood for that sort of thing.

The red hat will remain for yet another game! This was my 2nd game in 3 days and I was worried about jinxing them but after Danny's walk-off on Thursday I actually felt pretty good about #8. Was very impressed with HRod and if he keeps that up how tough will we be with Burnett, Coffey, HRod, Clippard and Storen?? Storen was throwing 95/96 after pitching 5 of the last 6 but HRod hit 101 and then came back with an 83mph slider (or something, how would I know) and that seems almost unfair. I look at Baltimore's bullpen and their numbers and then I look at ours and its night and day. We really just might keep this up, not winning 8 in a row, but with good pitching, fielding (and man do our catchers look great as well) and timely hitting we have a shot at absolutely being the best team in this young franchises brief history.Go Nats

Moved to Lynchburg last year and haven't been able to make it up to Nationals Park since. How is the neighborhood development coming along? I'm guessing the recent economic doldrums haven't helped. But it sure would be nice to see some more eating options nearby (e.g. Ledo Pizza).A nice win today. If the Nats somehow finish over .500 this year (suddenly not so wild a dream), perhaps Comcast in Lynchburg will finally add MASN to its lineup (which is why I've had DirectTV since I moved here).

The development around Nats Park is booming! The amount of restaurants/bars on Half Street doubled this season because The Bullpen, the lone bar on the strip, added another bar closer to the metro which I think is the same thing but with a different beer selection?Your eating options are basically restricted to the hot dogs carts that roam out there before the game. I pack lunch/dinner most days I go.Some other thoughts. HRod has been looking better and better. Couple of 101MPH heaters in the dirt, but combined with that slider, he's just nasty. If he can learn to hit his spots, he'll be absolutely filthy. Probably unhittable. The entire back of the bullpen has really been stepping it up. If you look at the guys not named Clippard and Storen, this is the line they've posted on this win streak:10 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 4BB, 7KThat's not bad considered our only reliable guys to date aren't included in that.

Grandstander… re your comment on Shake Shack: Last night line was way too long so I got a taco combo for $10.25 at the new Taqueria next door. Would have preferred Taco Bell at a third the price but better quality.

@VP81955–I work two blocks from Nationals Stadium, and I have to agree that the eating options are very limited in the immediate area. However, if you go up to 8th Street, up from the main entrance to the Navy Yard, there are tons of restaurants and bars, with all kinds of food: burgers/pub food, Mexican, Indian, you name it. There are little shuttle carts — they are too small to call taxis — that will take you there for "free." (A tip is expected.)But there are only a handful of places within walking distance. On a nice night, the Dugout Bar at the Marriott on NJ Ave is decent.

I like Justin's Cafe which is about a block from the stadium in the bottom of Velocity (high end condo's). Nice draft beer selection of quality high end craft brews and decent sandwiches and soups. They also have Pizza and other stuff but I have stuck with the sandwiches and beer. Its not large but I have always found a seat. Also agree that if you don't mind the walk 8th street is outstanding – Matchbox, Cava, Teds Bulletin, a Belgian place etc etc. There are options if you know where to go. Also Bullfeathers and the Mexican Place right next to it are a little closer.

My favorite part of the broadcast was the forced agreement between the Nats and Orioles broadcasters. It was like they were broadcasting a meaningless student-faculty game at an anonymous junior high in Ohio.The Nats and O's broadcasters had a virtual competition to explain why the Nats have stolen Weiters BLIND the last two days. They agreed: It wasn't Weiter's fault, it was the PITCHERS. And the O's and Nats broadcasters, all obedient MASN employees, COMPETED to top each other in declaring how this was NOT Weiter's fault. But it WAS Weiter's fault. The Nationals stole him BLIND. We must stop these idiotic joint broadcasts. They represent the Angelos mafioso clique against city-based broadcasts.

I was at the games and thought it was the pitchers' fault. Matusz was especially not interested in checking the runner and had an awful move. I'm surprised we didn't get more. I haven't listened to one of those O's/MASN broadcasts but I will say that Wieters wasn't to blame, he did what he could.I agree about the joint broadcasts though. They were just awful when I watched for a game at Camden. I know it's a cost-saving measure, but FFS I don't want to have to listen to how amazing the O's are for 9 innings. What's the timetable on this MASN deal? When can we get our own station?